Staff Reports
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stood up for the Rushingbrook Children’s Choir after they were unjustly and outrageously stopped from singing the National Anthem at the US Capitol last Friday. McCarthy fervently condemned the choir’s interruption and declared it “unacceptable” that they were unable to finish their performance. Prior to the interruption, the choir had received approval to sing a short set of patriotic songs inside Statuary Hall, including the National Anthem. Nonetheless, the Capitol Police abruptly halted their rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner. The choir director, Mr. David Rasbach, pleaded with the police to let the children finish singing, but they were told that performing the National Anthem at the nation’s Capitol is considered a form of protest.
Kevin McCarthy Invites Children's Choir to Capitol After They Were Stopped Singing National Anthemhttps://t.co/fSyD6MVYJz
— The Daily Fetched (@DailyFetched) June 3, 2023
Can you believe that a group of children was prevented from simply singing the National Anthem in their country’s own Capitol? It’s disgraceful! Mr. Rasbach stated that singing the National Anthem is not a demonstration, but something that the children have been taught to show respect and gratitude to their country. The Capitol Police’s ridiculous reasoning that it might be offensive to some is not only ridiculous but offensive in and of itself. Doesn’t it make you wonder what kind of country we are living in, where children singing the National Anthem is deemed a threat?
The moment a children's choir singing at the #uscapitol was told to stop singing the U.S. National Anthem during the second verse. They had been given permission to sing prior to a higher up deciding our nation's anthem in our nation's capitol was offensive.
No, seriously, when… pic.twitter.com/ygHnB4gjQ5— The Overton Report (@overton_the) May 26, 2023
Just learned kids were interrupted while singing our National Anthem at the Capitol. Unacceptable.
These children were welcomed by my office because your Capitol is back open, particularly for school groups. @RepTimmons, @RepJoeWilson, & @RepRussellFry, and I look forward to…
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) June 2, 2023
Nevertheless, McCarthy took action and invited the Rushingbrook Children’s Choir to sing again at the US Capitol. McCarthy believes that the Capitol should be open to everyone, especially school groups that want to visit. He stated that the children were welcomed by his office and that he, together with his colleagues Rep. Timmons, Rep. Joe Wilson, and Rep. Russell Fry, looks forward to welcoming the children back to the Capitol.
In conclusion, it is sad and concerning when the National Anthem is considered a form of protest at the US Capitol. It’s ironic that the very place where laws are made to protect our freedom of speech, expression, and assembly would stop children from singing the National Anthem. Thankfully, with leaders like McCarthy, we still stand strong against such oppression and ensure that the voices of the young patriots are heard once more!
